Lawrence is confirmed as federal district judge

• Gannett News Service • June 27, 2008 WASHINGTON -- The Senate yesterday unanimously confirmed U.S. Magistrate Judge William T. Lawrence to serve as U.S. district judge for Indiana's southern district. Lawrence, 60, succeeds John Daniel Tinder, who was elevated last year to the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. "I knew that his successor would need to possess the same degree of integrity and intelligence," said Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind. Lugar called Lawrence's selection the "product of a bipartisan process and reflective of the importance of finding highly qualified federal judges to carry forward the tradition of fair, principled, and collegial leadership." Each of the nation's 94 federal districts has from two to 28 judges to handle claims under federal law and civil claims between residents of different... [read full story]